White Spear

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweetly mild and vividly fresh from the first tender harvest, White Spear scallions form crisp, upright spears with a clean, white shank and a softly green top.

Their texture is satisfyingly snappy—firm yet delicate—ideal for bright, quick flavor in stir-fries, savory sauces, and pickling brines, or for enjoying straight from the garden. Grow them for a steady, 60-day rhythm of slender stems that stay crisp and never turn pithy when kept well-watered and harvested young.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

White Spear hits with a milder, sweeter scallion profile and a crisp, glassy bite that stays intact in heat—ideal when you want allium brightness without the harsh, fibrous pith. Use the white shank for sweetness and the green tops for that peppery-grassy lift, ideally added late or folded in off-heat.

Best Uses

quick stir-fries where you want snappy rounds that don’t melt
soy-sesame or ginger scallion sauces (whisk in off-heat for perfume)
hot pickling brines for crisp, tangy spears
sliced raw as a bright topping—especially on dumplings, rice bowls, and bean curd

Flavor Profile

sweetly mild allium bite vividly fresh, lightly vegetal snap clean white-shank sweetness tender green tops with a sharper, grassy finish

Kitchen Pairings

soy sauce ginger sesame oil rice vinegar chile paste tofu

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pest or disease for Allium fistulosum (white spear bunching onions), and how do I control it?

Allium leaf miner (and sometimes thrips) can tunnel into onion leaves, leaving whitish streaks and distorted growth. Inspect weekly and remove heavily damaged leaves; for protection, use fine insect netting and apply an insecticidal soap or neem early when you first spot adults or eggs. Avoid keeping volunteer onions nearby, since they can harbor pests and spread pressure through the season.

How often should I water Allium fistulosum during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth (roughly from transplanting onward until harvest), keep soil consistently evenly moist, not soggy. Water when the top 1 inch of soil starts to dry, typically every 3–5 days depending on heat and soil, aiming for a steady moisture level. Stop frequent watering about 7–10 days before harvest so spears firm up and the base is less likely to rot.

How can I tell when White Spear (Allium fistulosum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when spears are tall and reach about 8–12 inches, with firm, green hollow leaves and a white-to-light base you can clearly see above the soil. You can start taking outer spears around the 55–60 day mark and continue harvesting every few days if you planted in batches. If spears start looking thin or the plant shifts toward flowering, harvest immediately for best texture and mild flavor.